Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Bill, 1998: Second Stage.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Mr. Treacy):

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Earlier this year the Government announced the establishment of the George Mitchell scholarship scheme. The Government will contribute an endowment of £2 million to establish the scholarship scheme which will enable highly qualified American post-graduate students to attend Irish universities. The legislation is necessary to enable the sum of £2 million to be paid into the fund out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. The scheme is named after Senator George Mitchell in recognition of his contribution to building lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

The fund will be managed and controlled in the United States by appropriate persons appointed by the Minister for Education and Science with the consent of the Minister for Finance. These persons will carry out their functions in accordance with an agreement which will cover matters such as the control and management of the fund, criteria for the academic standards necessary to receive a scholarship and disbursement from the fund. The agreement may also specify the universities or colleges in the United States from which a candidate may apply for a scholarship. Any agreement made by the Minister must be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

The Bill provides that the Minister should prepare an annual report on the operation of the fund and that a copy of the report, an abstract of any audited accounts of the fund and a copy of any auditor's report must be laid before the Oireachtas. The Bill also provides that expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of the legislation will be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

I will give way to my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

I apologise for my late arrival.

It is a great pleasure to introduce a Bill that marks an historic development in relations between the two traditions on this island and between Ireland and the United States. The George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Bill honours a man who has contributed much to the cause of peace on this island, whose guiding hand was behind the British-Irish Agreement and who has helped to set our country on the road to a more peaceful future. Simultaneously, it brings into existence a scholarship fund which will both enrich the lives of young people for generations to come and strengthen the already close bonds between Ireland and the United States.

Everybody has heard of the Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University. In almost a century of existence, it has allowed some of the world's finest minds to live the Oxford experience and to circulate in an educational ambit of which they might otherwise have been ignorant. It has consistently proved itself of immense benefit to the individual scholar, Oxford University and to society. Its prestige is unrivalled. Former recipients include world leaders and some of the most eminent writers and thinkers of our time.

I am proud to bring before the House a Bill to establish an Irish version of the Rhodes scholarship, the George J. Mitchell scholarship. Once in operation, this programme will allow young American scholars to experience the Irish university system and to contribute their energy and talent to it. The individual scholar and the Irish university system will benefit and the ties between Ireland and the United States will be further strengthened, while establishing a permanent reminder of the good works of Senator Mitchell on our behalf.

George Mitchell has had a celebrated career not only as a senator and a lawyer but also as a peacemaker. His was the guiding hand behind the British-Irish Agreement, the Mitchell Principles set the tone for that Agreement and the peace process in the North bears the stamp of his integrity.

Through his efforts and those of General de Chastelain and Prime Minister Harri Holkeri, we have seen unprecedented change in the way our two traditions regard each other and themselves. We have seen Unionist and Nationalist come together at the table of government, the leader of Unionism standing side by side with the Taoiseach on the steps of Government Buildings and, most recently, Prime Minister Blair become the first British Prime Minister to address the Oireachtas. These were historic moments, images without precedent in the course of Irish history.

The people of Ireland have endorsed the British-Irish Agreement as the only legitimate charter to guide and direct our efforts now and for the future as we seek to build a new agreed Ireland, North and South. The voice of the people, spoken by the living representatives of the two great traditions of this island, has redefined Ireland. Their collective verdict transcends not just the Anglo-Irish Agreement but the 1920-1921 settlement. The all Ireland vote, the first since 1918, has infused the 1937 Constitution with a new authority appropriate to the challenges and opportunities which are offered at the close of one century and the opening of another.

It required people of vision to advance the North from 30 years of stalemate to a position of hope. Visionaries on both sides of the political and cultural divide saw the opportunity for progress and, guided by Senator Mitchell's tenacity and perspicacity, have taken us to the cusp of a new era. Uniquely, Senator Mitchell helped us to help ourselves and the people of Ireland, North and South, have every reason to be grateful to him.

It is appropriate that we honour the good work of Senator Mitchell with the establishment of this scholarship in his name. In the same way he helped us to seek the best in ourselves, this scholarship will reward the best, most rounded young people of their generations, cementing the bonds between Ireland and the United States. It will also be seen as a declaration that we have learnt from the errors of the past and that we are prepared to embark on a new era of co-operation, both internationally and within Ireland.

Mr. R. Bruton:

I warmly welcome this Bill. Anybody who has had the privilege of knowing Senator Mitchell will be aware that he is truly a son of America, in the proudest tradition of that country.

As he said in a recent speech, America is a country in which everybody has a chance. There was no greater joy for him in his role as a federal judge than conducting citizenship ceremonies, occasions at which America welcomed the huddled masses, the people struggling to be free. He said the ceremonies were always emotional occasions for him because his mother was an immigrant from Lebanon and his father was the orphan son of immigrants from Ireland. They had no education and worked hard all their lives at difficult and low paying jobs. As a result of their efforts, he said, and more importantly due to the openness of American society, "I, their son, was able to become the Majority Leader of the United States Senate".

Senator Mitchell never lost sight of his inheritance from his parents and his country. He has devoted many years and much of his talent to giving back much of that inheritance. He also said in that recent speech:

I was one of those who had a chance and I thank God for my good fortune. Now, by an accident of fate in a way I did not seek or expect, I have been given the opportunity to help others to have a chance. That they are in Ireland, the land of my father's heritage, is just a fortuitous coincidence. That I am able to help, even in just a small way, is what matters.

George Mitchell brought an immense range of talents to Northern Ireland and to the peace process. He had a calmness, a kindness and a tolerance for everybody, regardless of whether they were the Taoiseach of the day, the President or just an ordinary member of the public. He gave everybody the same time and attention. He brought what could be described as old fashioned virtues — courtesy and humility — to the process. These virtues appear to be outdated today but in George Mitchell we see how powerful they are in bringing people together, people who had been divided irreconciliably for years.

The virtue of patience brought him through tireless hours of talks which appeared to inch forward only to take strides backwards. It took a man of immense spirit and talent to tolerate that process and always to emerge with his eye on the main objective, achieving peace and reconciliation.

Many people mistook George Mitchell to be somebody who was soft because of his gentle tones. He was anything but. Throughout his political career he was a man of immense tenacity, concentrating on issues of principle. It is interesting to focus on the issues for which Senator Mitchell fought in the course of his career. He fought for reform of the health system, social reform and environmental reform. He saw the big picture and was not drawn into the petty squabbles of political debate. He was able to marshall his resources and keep his reserves intact with an eye to the big debates in which he wished to make progress. It was a tremendous compliment to Ireland that he was willing to give this country so much of his time and talent.

Let us not forget that when Senator Mitchell resigned his seat in the Senate, it was an immense surprise. It was presumed that he was a shoe-in to the US Supreme Court which would have provided him with a job for life in secure surroundings. A good lifestyle beckoned. Instead, Senator Mitchell was willing to trade it for the grim task he undertook in Northern Ireland. He had only recently married and his wife was expecting their first child. The choice of giving up such a comfortable life and turning his attention to reconciling the irreconciliable in Northern Ireland is an immense tribute to the qualities of George Mitchell.

He was greeted on his arrival there with accusations of bias and boycotts. There were immense difficulties which put him under personal pressure. He did not flinch from the task before him because he had his eye on the goal that was to be achieved. There is no doubt that the path-breaking Mitchell principles he enunciated got all sides off the horns of a dilemma. People had taken up stances on issues from which they could not easily back down. His skill was to allow people to come back without losing face and to move forward. Those talents have been of immense value.

When speaking of awards, peace prizes and so on it is right that George Mitchell's contribution should not be forgotten. He was the first person of the year who came from outside Ireland. That in itself is a tribute to him. He is a man with a big heart and has a solid determination to achieve. It is fitting to honour him by establishing an educational scholarship. It is right that a man who devoted so much of his career to trying to stamp out ignorance and fear in communities should be honoured by putting resources into an education system dedicated to doing just that. It is education which can over time root out the intransigence and the bitterness that so many of us on this island have inherited. It is fitting that an educational prize be used to honour George Mitchell's contribution. I hope he will continue to come to Ireland and enjoy the real warmth which all of us in this House and beyond have for him. I hope also he will have the opportunity to come with his son and sit in a Northern Ireland assembly to hear debate and discussion among parties that were for so many years irreconcilable and which saw only one way, the way of violence. His legacy will be that he saw that the only way was the way of peace. That is what drove him on throughout this period.

I thank the Government on introducing this legislation and George Mitchell for his immense contribution. I wish him well in all the other areas where he will apply his talents.

Mr. O'Shea:

I compliment the Government on introducing this legislation. On behalf of the Labour Party and in the context of this legislation I recognise the enormous contribution by George Mitchell to the British-Irish Agreement and his great input into thinking here. He represents an excellent role model for students. He demonstrates the equalities to which we should all aspire. However, I have a number of difficulties with the legislation. I do not mean to be negative but I make my suggestions in a constructive manner to the Minister. The first two amendments I have tabled are of a technical nature while the other two deal with a more substantive matter.

Amendment No. 1 deals with the use of the word "duly", in page 3, line 21. Section 2 (1) states: "The Minister shall duly establish, in the United States,.". My legal advice is that the word "duly" is redundant, adds nothing to the Bill and the text would benefit from its deletion. Amendment No. 2 is of a more serious nature in that it deals with an aspect of international law — that a State cannot pass legislation for something to happen in another State without the consent of that State. Section 2 (1) states:

The Minister shall duly establish, in the United States, a fund which shall be known as the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund,.

In page 3, line 21, subsection (1), after "States" I am seeking to insert the following: "with the prior consent of the United States". A State can pass extraterritorial legislation of this type only with the consent of the State in which the activity is being carried out. The amendment will ensure the Bill complies and is seen to comply with international law. I ask the Minister to examine that matter. If his legal advice is contrary I am happy to accept it. My legal advice is as I have presented it.

Amendments Nos. 3 and 4 relate to the type of institutions with which American students, who benefit under the George Mitchell scholarship fund, may become involved in Ireland. As the Bill is drafted this is restricted to universities. The explanatory memorandum states:

The Bill provides for the Minister for Education and Science to establish a fund for the purpose of providing scholarships for citizens and nationals of the United States who are attending universities or colleges of higher learning in the United States..

The students who can avail of the fund do not have to attend universities, they can attend other colleges of higher education. I put it strongly to the Minister that we need to expand the list of institutions which can benefit under this fund in Ireland in the sense of students being referred to them. The areas of study of the Irish School of Ecumenics are ecumenics and conflict resolution. Its academic base is growing rapidly in the context of a new arrangement it will enter into with Trinity College. This institution deals with areas of study which are fundamental to those in which George Mitchell has involved himself. American students should be given the opportunity to choose that institution when pursuing the type of study which will be funded under the new scholarship fund.

I am concerned that the institutes of technology have been omitted from the Bill. It is extraordinary that a scholarship fund, being put in place to honour an American, George Mitchell, who has played such a huge role in bringing about peace in Ireland, is not to be applicable to the Border counties. There are two institutes of technology in the Border counties, at Letterkenny and Dundalk. Surely it is appropriate and necessary that institutes of technology in the Border areas be included among those prescribed in the Bill. The whole sector should be involved. I represent the south-east region which has two institutes of technology, Waterford and Carlow. Both these institutes will be outside the scheme as proposed. It further means the fifth largest city will be unable to participate in the context of students taking up their studies in third level institutions in Waterford. There will not be an opportunity for American students to attend institutions in the midlands.

The north-east, the north-west, the midlands and the south-east will, by definition, be excluded from participating in the scheme. These exclusions are unjustifiable, particularly in the context of the growth of those institutions and their status. If graduates from the institutes of technology seek to take up employment in the US, it will be important to use every means at our disposal to raise the level of their status to ensure that the qualifications they offer will take on a higher standing in that country. This will happen if the Minister takes the route outlined in my proposal.

Does he intend to take a proactive role in respect of the donations that can be made to the fund? Will the organisation to be established in the US under the legislation be charged with playing a proactive role in terms of seeking finance or other assets to add to the fund to increase the number of people participating in the scheme?

I welcome the establishment of the George Mitchell scholarship fund and my party supports the Bill. As stated earlier, George Mitchell is an excellent role model for young people because he portrays and personifies the attributes which are so important for a person intent on serving his community or other communities in the best possible way.

Will the Minister take a more inclusive attitude with regard to the institutions in this country which will be allowed to participate in the scheme? I accept the Bill may have been rather hurriedly produced and that this aspect may have been inadvertently overlooked. Therefore, I will not make a political meal out of this point. However, the Bill will be better, more inclusive and more appropriate if the Minister includes the institutes of technology and the Irish School of Ecumenics among the institutions which can participate in the scheme.

Mr. Enright:

I welcome this Bill. I place on record my thanks and those of my constituents for the work done by Senator Mitchell during his protracted but fruitful stay in Ireland. The work has been outstandingly successful. I should go further and thank the President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, for his work during the difficult negotiations on the peace process, the British Prime Minister, the Taoiseach and their predecessors, Mr. John Major and former Taoisigh, Deputies Albert Reynolds and John Bruton, the former leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Spring, John Hume, Gerry Adams, David Trimble and former United States Ambassador to Ireland, Margaret Heckler, who all did outstanding work in difficult circumstances.

The British-Irish Agreement offers a new opportunity for peace in Ireland. While progress will continue to be slow and difficult because of hiccups and setbacks, I am convinced the people want peace to reign on this island. Their desire can be achieved. The Minister correctly referred to the last all-Ireland vote in 1918 when an opportunity for peace was lost. However, at that stage outside agencies could not participate to try to solve difficulties. Without such participation and the efforts of George Mitchell and his partners, General de Chastelain and Harry Holkeri, difficulties would have again arisen on this occasion. However, their work proved successful.

Ireland has a great tradition of success in the fields of literature and art. However, it is not recognised for its success in the field of science. We have not laid claim to success in that area. When one considers the achievements made by the Earl of Ross and others in the development of the turbine engine and the telescope at Birr, County Offaly, in the last century, it becomes evident that Ireland has a tradition of scientific development. We should place more emphasis on Irish people's achievements in that field.

Ireland will benefit and learn from having American students visit her shores under the scholarship scheme. I do not doubt that those students will also benefit from learning about our sports, culture and approach to life. When they return to America they will be all the better for having some idea of the nature of life in Ireland.

I referred to science earlier because, if possible, the provisions of the Bill should be broadened to include institutions other than the universities. Bolton Street and Kevin Street Colleges of Technology, Athlone Regional Technical College and other colleges have played a positive role in allowing Ireland to expand its industrial base, nationally and internationally.

We should investigate the possibility of making a reciprocal arrangement under the terms of the Bill whereby Irish students will be able to visit the United States. Perhaps the Minister could discuss this matter with the American Ambassador and his US counterpart.

Mr. Belton:

I welcome the introduction of the Bill. The name of George Mitchell will always rank highly in the minds of all Irish people. Senator Mitchell came on the scene at an important stage in the development of this island. I pay tribute to former Taoiseach Deputy John Bruton whose influence was vital in securing the appointment of George Mitchell. In hindsight, Senator Mitchell's appointment was extremely important because he played a major role in the development of the peace process. There were times during the talks when he wished he was elsewhere but he was persistent and showed vision, courage and great patience. It is appropriate that his name should be associated with the scholarship fund.

The Minister mentioned the two traditions on the island. There is a third tradition, those who want to live in peace. We should pay tribute to the members of the security forces, North and South, who put their lives at risk and stood fearlessly in front of the gunmen and the bombers to preserve democracy on the island. They are the real peacemakers, although politicians can also claim credit. Without the security forces there would be no peace.

Proinsias De Rossa:

I acknowledge the value of the Bill and welcome it as a fitting tribute to the work done by Senator George Mitchell during the peace process. He made a major contribution in inching the participants in the negotiations towards agreement. He won the confidence of the majority.

Apart from the Bill, the most fitting way of acknowledging his work would be to ensure the Agreement is put in place in its totality. It is regrettable, despite the enormous progress made, that the various aspects of the Agreement which are waiting to fall into place are being held up by certain people who have adopted an implacable position on decommissioning. It is an issue that must be dealt with. It would be better to deal with it now rather than put it on the long finger.

This is a good Bill. It is always of value for third level students to travel abroad to broaden their understanding of other societies. It is unfortunate, however, that it is a one-way process, that students from the United States will be enabled to come here. It may be a better procedure to allow Irish students to travel to the United States under the scheme.

It would be of enormous value to enable students from working-class backgrounds to access the scheme. There are enormous obstacles to participation at third level for those in working-class areas. The participation rate is still extremely low. The implementation and operation of the Bill should be examined to ensure it is not only those who are privileged who will benefit.

The Minister will appoint a person to manage the fund to which £2 million of taxpayers' money will be allocated. How will the fund be managed? Perhaps the Minister should seek the approval of the House to appoint the person whom it is proposed should be put in charge of the fund.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate. There was a broad welcome for the objectives of the Bill which acknowledges in an effective way the tremendous work done by Senator George Mitchell during the peace process.

The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarships for American nationals attending universities or colleges of higher learning in the United States. The Minister will be facilitated in reaching agreement with a number of parties on the establishment of the fund for which £2 million will be made available. Private donations, particularly in the United States, will be sought. It is a two-way process.

There are other scholarship schemes which involve exchanges between Ireland and the United States. A separate agreement was concluded recently with the University of Maine and the institute of technology in Maine for an exchange of two students per year between Ireland and Maine. The Fulbright scholarship scheme also involves exchanges.

Students in the United States will be facilitated to come here to conduct research. This will be of benefit to the students themselves, the colleges concerned and ultimately the country in terms of the bonds that will be formed.

Question put and agreed to.